Dread the hassles involved with connecting flights? Relief may
be on the way: Some airlines are offering nonstop marathon flights
that can cut travel time substantially.

China Airlines, for instance, has a nonstop flight from Taipei
to New York that's a whopping 16-hour journey; it's
available only from November 1 through April 1, when tail winds
give the planes the boost they need to make the 7,795-mile trip.
And in July, United Airlines began offering a flight from
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport direct to Hong Kong,
a 7,788-mile journey. United operated the new service three days a
week through the end of October this year.

Aside from the obvious convenience, what's most attractive
about these new nonstop flights for many business travelers is
their hefty time savings. "Before, travelers had to make a
stop and change planes," says United Airlines' Joe
Hopkins. "This way, travelers can save anywhere from three to
five hours."

Still, airline officials are careful to point out that business
travelers shouldn't expect to see a spate of exceptionally
lengthy flights in the near future. "We don't see this as
a trend," asserts Hopkins. "It's really a unique
thing to do."

Going My Way?

The popularity of auto drive-away among entrepreneurial road
warriors appears to be shifting into high gear. What is auto
drive-away, you ask? Drive-away companies match travelers with
newly purchased vehicles being delivered to the same
destination.

For example, say you were heading from your Chicago business to
a convention in California and needed to visit clients along the
way. You could try coordinating multiple airline flights, paying
for a rental car, or even putting the extra wear and tear on your
own vehicle. But by using an auto drive-away service, you get to
cruise the open highway in someone else's brand-new Lexus or
Cadillac, with the owner footing the bill (except gas).

"It's an extremely cheap way to travel with lots of
alternatives to choose from," says John Sohl, chairman of
Chicago-based Auto Driveaway Co., which matched 40,000 vehicles
with some 60,000 travelers last year.

The catch: You may discover there isn't a car headed back
your way upon arrival at your destination. Plus, most companies
require you to plunk down a deposit; Auto Driveaway asks for a $250
to $300 cash deposit.

Otherwise, all indicators show auto drive-away has moved into
the fast lane; in fact, Auto Driveaway notes roughly 10 percent of
its clients are small-business owners. Start your engines!

Take It Easy

Staying relaxed while on the road is easier said than done. But
it's essential because high stress levels can deplete your
energy, compromise your immune system and significantly lower your
quality of life, says Krs Edstrom, author of Healthy, Wealthy
and Wise (Simon & Schuster).

To learn to relax, or at least keep stress to a minimum (after
all, who can remain calm when someone behind you keeps kicking your
airplane seat?), try a simple breathing technique called the
"complete breath." First, exhale all the air out of your
lungs for a count of eight. Next, inhale for a count of eight to
12, then slowly exhale again. This practice can stabilize your
breathing pattern and help put you in a more peaceful state, says
Edstrom.

Exercise is also a key stress-buster. You can do isometric
exercises (squeezing and releasing tense muscles such as fingers
and shoulders) almost anywhere. If you work out regularly, stick to
it during your travels; Edstrom suggests exercising in the morning
to get focused for the day. If you don't feel like exercising,
at least do a moderate version of your usual workout. Also, be sure
to drink plenty of water to increase your energy and keep you
mentally sharp.

My Lobby Or Yours?

Hotel bars and lobbies are buzzing with the sound of business
travelers making high-powered deals. Why not conduct your next
business meeting in a gilded-bronze lobby, snug wood-paneled bar or
Chinese tearoom at a nearby hotel? Author Carol Berens details some
of the hottest and poshest meeting places in Hotel Bars and
Lobbies (McGraw-Hill). From Richmond, Virginia's Jefferson
Hotel lobby, complete with grand staircase, to the elegant Top of
the Mark bar in San Francisco's Mark Hopkins Intercontinental
Hotel, these places boast rich histories and atmospheres that are
sure to spice up your business dealings.

Right On Track

Leery of carrying important personal items with you while
traveling? The Tracker, a high-tech identification and recovery
service, can take the hassle out of finding and retrieving
belongings the next time forgetfulness strikes.

All you do is affix Tracker's bar-code labels (encoded with
confidential ownership information) to valuable items such as your
notebook computer, electronic organizer, luggage-even your glasses.
When someone finds the item and calls a toll-free 24-hour hotline
listed on the label, it's automatically picked up and delivered
to the nearest recovery site-usually a local police station. Once
identified, your property is returned via Tracker's courier
service to ensure it doesn't languish in the lost-and-found
storeroom of an airport, hotel or police station.

When In Rome . . .

With more small businesses expanding internationally than ever
before, it's time for entrepreneurs to take a serious look at
proper business protocol-or risk losing business, urges Katie B.
Holmes, editor of The Diplomat, a newsletter on
international business protocol.

"Most people have never even traveled out of this country,
so they aren't aware of cultural differences," says
Holmes. "They need to be aware that habits we might consider
minor are often very noticeable in other countries."

Proper protocol for dining, dress, eye contact and exchange of
business cards in the country you'll be visiting are just a few
areas of etiquette you should investigate, says Holmes. Otherwise,
you may not comprehend why you must face the door during a business
meeting in China, or why you risk offending a potential business
partner in South Africa by yawning in public.

To get up to speed, Holmes recommends consulting applicable
newsletters or attending training courses on international protocol
for business executives. Or try contacting the appropriate country
desk at the U.S. Department of Commerce for relevant
information.